Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) outlined several key challenges in rolling out 5G in the country including substantial investment, slow return on investment, and availability of compatible handsets.
The authority stated that the deployment of 5G requires a substantial investment in terms of upgrading existing networks and expanding infrastructure with the installation of small cells, advanced antennas, and extensive fiber optic backhaul. This imposes a considerable financial burden on telecom operators as securing the required capital can become a challenge for them, particularly in a competitive market with price-sensitive consumers. Moreover, the return on investment may take time, making them cautious about committing large capital expenditures upfront.
Government incentives and Private-Public Partnerships (PPPs) may hence be crucial to ease this financial strain and promote necessary investments. Bridging the digital divide constitutes a significant challenge in the rollout of 5G in Pakistan.
While urban areas may quickly benefit from the advanced infrastructure, rural and remote regions risk being left behind due to the high costs and logistic hurdles of extending 5G to sparsely populated areas. The availability of 5G handsets is also a barrier to widespread 5G adoption. Ensuring equitable, nationwide access to 5G services is crucial for inclusive economic growth and social development.
Promoting public awareness and 5G adoption is another challenge as many consumers and businesses are yet to fully understand the benefits and potential of 5G, leading to slower uptake. Concerns about health effects and misconceptions about 5G can also hinder public acceptance. The government and telecom operators need to invest in public education campaigns, informing citizens about the advantages of 5G. Transparent communication will be essential to build trust and foster widespread adoption.
The 5G implementation process has already been initiated, with necessary efforts underway for its successful rollout. All stakeholders are actively gearing up for the introduction of 5G mobile connectivity by mid-2025, the Authority added.
Backhaul infrastructure is one of the key factors in ensuring 5G readiness as it plays a crucial role in the performance and capacity of 5G networks. Pakistan has been focusing on backhaul readiness as a key step towards 5G deployment. In this regard, allocations have been made to CMOs in suitable frequency bands for backhaul (E-band), along with facilitated trials to assess the performance of different backhaul technologies crucial for supporting the high data rates and low latency requirements of 5G.
During the year under review, PTA closely worked with telecom operators to upgrade their infrastructure for high-capacity backhaul. By monitoring compliance and promoting investments in backhaul infrastructure, PTA aims to ensure that Pakistan’s telecom sector is well-prepared for the efficient rollout and operation of 5G networks across the country.
5G isn’t viable for Pakistan at least in the near future… Telcos should focus on 4.5G…
Pakistan and Pakistan shouldn’t hope for 5G till 2040 or something… There is no selling proposition for it right now in Pakistan and the customer base is really really small…
so FOCUS ON 4.5G
In some gulf countries there are hardly 7 million mobile subscribers and the soil here is made of stone. Still they cut the stones and lay down the back haul fiber cables.
On the other hand in Pakistan mobile subscribers are around 195 millions and soil here is also good.
Available 5g devices in Pakistan are also more than from some other countries with 5G availability.
We know these gulf countries are rich. They are utilizing their resources with proficiency. And here our government is extremely corrupt.
There is a significant difference between having demand and creating demand. Pakistan was not ready for 4G in 2014 when Zong launched it. The country lacked 4G-enabled handsets and the necessary backhaul infrastructure. However, the launch created demand, spurring the development of applications and services reliant on 4G. The same applies to 5G today. Even in India, the market resembled Pakistan’s before the introduction of 5G, but demand has rapidly grown post-launch. In developing countries like ours, products need to create demand rather than waiting for demand to shape the product. This distinguishes developing markets from developed ones.
Unfortunately, this is the approach that has kept us behind the global market. We are waiting for something to be established then runs behind it. Instead, we should shape the market to adopt the consumption. Here we are waiting for miracle to happen instead we should make that miracle to happen.
You are correct, but I am describing the ground reality. In a telecom market like ours, where 40% of consumers still use 2G and basic mobile phones for telephony, and the ARPU is just around $1, market forces alone cannot drive demand for data-centric services or foster innovation. Economic stability and the viability of running telecom businesses at affordable costs are crucial. Unfortunately, these factors are largely absent in countries like ours. To change this, we must first achieve economic strength.
Pehle 3G and 4G ko to sahii karo
Until unless the fiber cables with more data carrying capacity are not installed, 3G 4G service cannot be improved. Upon laying down the back haul fiber cables 4g, 5G service can be served better.
Once 5G service is pushed to be provided then telecom companies will have to install those fiber cables.
I’ve seen Jazz Rapidly improving their Backhaul system by connecting all their Towers in Lahore with Fiber, and they’ve partnered with Nayatel to do so. And atleast in my area their Speed has improved considerably and Crosses 100Mbps during Fajr time when using handset with support 3CC carrier aggregation.
Don’t know about ufone, Zong or Telenor though.
Although many people don’t own 5G-enabled mobile phones, telecom operators can still introduce 5G services through wireless home broadband, utilizing 5G routers that support 5G SIMs.